Brassiere



Dec. 25, 1945. I. F. HILL 2,391,417

BRASSIERE Filed Sept. 29, 1944 I lNVENTOR 1w; F HILL a g/WW /0' ATTORNEYPatented Dec. 25, 1945 UNITED STATES Y PATENT OFF ICE nasssrann Iver F.Hill, Stratford, Conn. Application September 2'9, 1944, Serial No.556,353 2 Claims. c1. H2)

The present invention relates to a brassiere, and especially a brassiereformed of moulded plastic material, or of other suitable substancecapable of being formed into a semi-rigid moulded shape, as for instancepulp fibre.

An object of the invention is to provide a brassiere which will benatural in appearance, comfortable to wear, will provide adequatesupport, and will be self-sustaining, this last mentioned characteristicbeing effectually carried out through the inherent structural form ofthe brassiere without the necessity for shoulder straps. Hence, thebrassire will be suitable for wear with strapless gowns, and forordinary wear will not have the uncomfortable cutting efiect of shoulderstraps. I

With the above and other objects in view, embodiments of the inventionare shown in the accompanying drawing, and these embodiments will behereinafter more fully described withreference thereto, and theinvention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing- Fig. 1 is a. perspective view of a brassiere, accordingto one form of the invention, being shown in its operative position uponthe wearer.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of one of the brassire pockets, thisbeing the right hand pocket as seen in Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a similar sectional view of another modified form of theinvention.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of still another form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a single pocket unit, according to afurther modified form of the invention, two such units adapted to beattached to a supporting band to form the complete brassiere.

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of another modified form of the invention,wherein the plastic material is of sheet form and is overlapped at itsupper portion to provide a. pocket formation.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a further modified form, similar to theform shown in Fig. 7, but wherein the sheet material is overlapped inthe lower portion to provide a pocket formation.

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of another modification.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral figures of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing. and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2thereof, the bmssiere, ac-

modified are provided upwardly cording to the illustrated exemplaryembodiment of the invention shown therein, comprises a front bandportion l0 adapted to embrace the diaphragm of the wearer, beingprovided centrally with an upwardly arched upper edge portion Ii adaptedto extend upwardly, between the breasts of the wearer, and at each sideof which there extending pocket portions i2 of generally rounded cuppedshape. These are preferably of circular or oval outline, and theconnections between them and the band portion ID are in the form ofcontracted neck portions iii. The contracted neck portions II are curvedinwardly and downwardly where they join the band portion l0 and arestructurally reinforced, as at- M, so as to provide a substantiallyrigid support between the [band portion and the pocket portions, thisreinforcement being provided by moulding the plastic material ofsubstantially increased thickness, as shown in Fig. 2.

The reinforcement between the band and pocket portions may be providedby a separate reinforcing layer l5, as shown in Fig. 3, homogeneouslyjoined to the layer of material forming the band and pocket portions bysuitable adhesive, such as, for instance, Acetone," in the case of acellulose acetate plastic material. Another modified form ofreinforcement may consist of a metal insert l6, as shown in Fig. 4,moulded into the material forming the :band and pocket portions. Afurther modified form of reinforcement may consist of an embossedstrut-like rib II, as shown in Fig. 5, extending across the curvebetween the band and pocket portions.

At. each end of the band portion l0 there is provided a slot l8 for thepurpose of attachment thereto of an elastic fastening band l9. This bandl9 may be threaded through the slot ii at one end and secured by anadjustment buckle 20 as shown in Fig. 2, its other end being releasablyconnected by snap fasteners 2| to a. tab 22, engaged through the slot IDat the other end and by suitable stitching 24.

Whili/the pocket portions l2 may be of any suitable. shape, theypreferably are moulded into an approximately-natural shap and to thisend are provided with nipple points 25, slightly below the upper edge ofthe pocket portion, the pocket portion above the points curving upwardlyand inwardly. In addition to giving a natural appearance, thisarrangement eifectually supports and confines the breasts.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, the pocket portion I2 isconnected to a short band portion Ill having slots 26 at each endthrough a complete brassiere. Two single units as shown in Fig. 6 may,if desired, be homogeneously connected by suitable adhesive to asupporting band of plastic material, this arrangement permitting imanufacture with a smaller size mould than would be possible with thecompletely integral form of the invention shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 7 there is shown a modified form of the invention formed fromplastic sheet material which is capable of being pressed into suitablemoulded form when heated, the general cup shape of the pocket portion I!being formed by splitting the material above the nipple point 25 andoverlapping and adhesively connecting it together, as at 28. In Fig. 8there is shown another modified form similar in principle to that shownin Fig. .7, wherein the material is split and overlapped below the point25, as at 29, and adhesively connected.

In the modification shown in Fig. 9 the upper nipple portion of thebrassiere is cut away, as at 30, the cut-out being defined by aconcavely curved edge.

Obviously, the modified forms of the invention shown in Figs. '7 to 9may be incorporated in the complete integral brassiere, as shown in Fig.l, as well as in the single unit type, as shown in Fig. 6. It will alsobe obvious that the reinforcing means l4, l5, l6 and I1 maybe employedin any of the several modified forms. The brassiere structure may ifdesired be suitably perforated for ventilation purposes, and may also becovered wholly or in part by suitable fabric material.

I have illustrated and described preferred and satisfactory embodimentsof the invention, but it will be understood that changes may be madetherein,- within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. In a brassiere, an integral structure of moulded plastic material, orthe like, comprising a supporting band portion and an initially cuppedpocket portion extending upwardly from said band portion and connectedthereto by a. contracted neck portion, said pocket portion at its lowerpart being curved outwardly and upwardly with respect to said bandportion, and a reinforcing means of relatively increased stifinessdisposed in said neck portion along the curve between'said bandandpocket portions.

2. In a brassiere, an integral structure of moulded plastic material, orthe like, comprising a supporting band portion and an initially cuppedpocket portion extending upwardly from said ing means of relativelyincreased stiffness disposed in said connection portion along the curvebetween said band and pocket portions.

' IVER F. HILL.

